Xtreme Fighting Championship (XFC) has been forced to strip Nick Newell of the lightweight championship as he refuses to fight top contender Scott Holtzman. XFC President John Prisco said Holtzman meets a yet to be known fighter at XFC 24 for the vacant title.

Newell gained attention for fighting without his left hand and most of his forearm missing from a congenital amputation. He won the belt in 82 seconds, bringing his first round stoppages to eight.

Prisco didn’t specify if Newell was still under contract, but his words seem to indicate he’s gone. He also felt that Holtzman would have easily won.

“I had to call Scott Holtzman and tell him that the current champion is unwilling to fight him for his earned title shot,” said Prisco. “To me, that’s hypocritical and I have zero respect and no room for any individual that acts like that in my organization.”

According to Prisco, Newell’s management wanted more money and he complied. They then asked for only ex-UFC fighters and that was the end.